Date of Birth: October 30, 1960
Place of Birth: Villa Fiorito
Wife’s Name: Claudia Villafane
Children’s Name: Dalma Nerea, Giannina Dinnorah, Diego Junior.
In the football world, he is known as the greatest player of all time. He comes from a humble background, son of a factory worker, who struggled to meet his family’s needs. From a young age, football meant everything to him. From 1976 to 1995 he played for many football clubs and led many to victory. Here are the list of clubs he has played: Cebollitas (ARG), Argentinos Juniors (ARG), Boca Juniors (ARG), Barcelona (ES), Nápoli (ITA) and Sevilla (ES) in all 840 games
and 345 goals. In 1986, he led Argentina and won the world cup against West-Germany. In this match, he became notorious for a goal in the quarter-final game against the England. He claimed it was the “Hand of God” which had caused him to score the goal, to the general derision of the English public and in particular the tabloid newspapers, who still resurrect the incident occasionally even today, branding him a cheat. However, Maradona showed the other side of his nature just a couple of minutes later in the same match, by running half the length of the pitch and beating almost the entire English team along the way, to score what is widely regarded as the most exceptional goal of all time. After leading Argentina to victory, he became the most famous footballer of all time. Sadly, his success did not last long. In 1994 world cup, Argentina was defeated by Germany and during the same time, he was tested positive for drug and was sent home. Since then, he battled drug addiction and banned for several months and years. His drug habit took a toll on him; He suffered a heart attack in 2004 and miraculously recovered. After he fully recovered, he became a coach for Argentina. In the last world cup, Argentina was defeated and Maradona took the responsibility and resigned. Currently Maradon is a coach for Dubai’s Al Wasl. In August this year, he led the team to 3-1 victory.
Accolades
Individual honours :
1979-81 Argentine Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year
1979-81, 1986 Argentine Sports Writers’ Footballer of the Year
1979-80, 1986 Argentine Sports Personality of the Year
1979, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992 South American Footballer of the Year (El Mundo, Caracas)
1986 Golden Ball for Best Player of the FIFA World Cup
1986 European Footballer of the Year (France Football)
1986-7 Best Footballer in the World (Onze)
1996 Golden Ball for services to football (France Football)
1999 Best World Cup goal (1986 (2-0) v. England)
1999 Argentine Sports Writers’ Sportsman of the Century
2000 “FIFA best football player of the century”, people’s choice
